Split switch



1929. R. E. EINSTEIN ET AL 1,735,075

SPLIT SWITCH File May 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A A/v/iA/roRs: R057. E. .//V6 fE/A/ BENJ 5. 557715.

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Nov. 12, 1929. R. E. EINSTEIN ETAL SPLIT SWITCH Filed May 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l}. l I 1:1:' w

W E i W WW W EBQIH 55' i eN u 5 R517, Y 5 A Mm W; v M w Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT E. EINSTEIN, OF ST. LOUIS, AND BENJAMIN B. BETTE, OI WE BSTER GROVES,

MISSOURI SPLIT SWITCH Application filed Kay 2, 1928. Serial No. 274,477.

This invention relates to railway switches of the type commonly referred to as split switches.

The main object of the invention is to provide a practicable split switch that is inexpensive to build, easy to install and easy to maintain in operative condition. I

Another object is to provide a split switch in which the stationary running rails that extend alongside of the movable switch points are secured to the slide plates and braced against lateral stresses in such a way as to overcome the necessity of using rail braces.

And still another object of the invention is to provide an efficient means of simple design and inexpensive construction for bolding or anchoring the heel ends of the movable switch pointsin abutting relationship with the running rails of which they form extensions, and also in properly spaced relation with the running rails that extend alongside of the switch points.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a top plan view of a s lit switch constructed in accordance with t e invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of one of the movable switch points.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the anchoring means for the heel ends of the movable switch points. 1

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, taken on the line 66 of Figure 1,

. looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view,

- illustrating the switch equipped with a tread rim contact protecting device for the outside movable switch point; and

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In the accompanying-drawings which illustrate the preferred form of the invention.

A designates the movable points of the switch, one of which has its heel end arranged in abutting relationship ,with one of the main line rails B, the other having its heel end arranged in abutting relationship with one of .the side line rails C. The heel end portions of the movable switch points A are attached to or combined with said running rails B and O in such a way that the terminalends or free 50 ends of the switch points can be shifted latorally in the usual manner towards and'away from'the stationary running rails that extend alongside of the switch oint, by an actuating device lattached to a head rod 2 which holds the terminal ends of the switch points A in properly spaced relation. The stationary main line rail B and the stationary side line rail 0 that extend alongside of the switch points A rest upon slide plates D that are secured to the track ties by spikes or in any other suitable way, the said slide plates being provided with top faces that form a smooth supporting surface on which the switch points slide.

The switch oints A are preferably formed from rails of t p e same weight and dimensions as the stationary running rails of the structure, and the heads w and base flanges y of said switch points are planed off or deformed in any suitable way, as shown in Figure 3, so as to make said switch points of such height that the base flanges of same will lie in a higher horizontal plane than the base flanges of the running rails that extend alongside of the points and the tread surfaces of said points will be arranged in proper relationship with the tread surfaces of the rails towards and away from which said switch points are moved, As is the usual practice in split switches, the tread surfaces of the points A extend flush with the tread surfaces of the running rails B and C at the terminal ends of the points and then rise slightly or slope upwardly so as to lie in a horizontal plane a trifle higherthan the tread surfaces of said running rails in the zone lying be tween the'heel ends and terminal ends of the switch points. This gradual rise or upward slope in the tread surfaces of the switch points horizontal plane than the tie plates on which the running rails B and C rest, and in order that the original cross section of the heel end portions of the switch points may be retained, the heel end portions of the switch points A are bent downwardly slightly so as to cause.

the extreme heel ends of the switch points to re ister with or lie in the same horizontal"- plane as their abutting rails B and C and 'causethe base flanges at the terminal portions A of the switch points to lie in a higher horizontal plane than the base flanges of the stationary running rails B and C. lVIost of the plates D on which the switch points A slide are provided with horizontally-disposed supporting surfaces for the base flanges of said 4 switch points, but one or more pairs of the slide plates D that arelocated adjacent the heel ends of the switch points are provided with supporting surfaces for the switch points that are inclined downwardly slightly to provide for the drop or deflection of the switch points adjacent their heel ends. If desired, the switch points A can be reinforced and strengthened by'bars 3 arranged longitudinally of the same and secured to their vertical =webs by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 4. V

In order to produce a practicable split switch that is inexpensive to build, and which does not require rail braces to take up the lateral thrusts on the stationary running rails arranged alongside of the movable switch 40 points, the slide plates D are provided in their 1 top faces with recesses that are adapted to receive the base flanges of the running rails B and C which plates are of such shape'that the base flanges of said running rails will be wedged tightly in said recesses and acted upon by devices that effectively brace said rails against lateral thrusts tending to tilt said rails or move them sidewise. ,As shown in Figure 3, each of the slide plates D is provided with a flat supporting surface for the base flange of the switch point with which it co-operates, and at one side of said supporting surface is a recess that is adapted to receive the base flange of the running rail which extends alongside of-the switch point, thereby causing the base flange of the running .rail to occupy such a position that the base flange of the switch point can move into overlapping relationship with same when the switch point is moved towards the running rail. One end of said recess is undercut, or formed in such a way that the slide plate D will have an undercut wall or portion 5 that laps over one of the side edges of the base flange of the stationary running rail. The opposite end- Wall the stationary running rail that is positioned in the recess. A tapered wedge E that is arranged in engagement with said beveled end wall 6, and with the adjacent side edge of the base flange of the rail, serves to clamp the rail flrmlydown upon the bottom of the recess in the slide plate and also wedge the base flange of said rail tightly against the undercut wall or overhangingportiono of the slide plate that laps over the base flange of the rail, said wedge E being provided at its inner edge with an. integral, laterally-projecting portion 7 that overhangs the base flange of the rail. The mouth or upper end of the recess in the slide plate D is wide enough to receive the base flange of the rail, thereby permitting the rail to be dropped downwardly into said recess and then moved laterally into engage ment with the undercut end wall or overhanging portion 5 of the recess. Thereafter the rail is secured in position by driving the wedge E longitudinally between the beveled end wall 6 of the recess and the adjacent side edge of the base flange of the rail. After the wedge E has been driven home or moved into such a position as to take up any play between the wedge, the base flangeof the rail and the slide plate D, said wedge is locked in position in any suitable way, as, for example, by inserting one or more spikes 8 through verticallyaligned holes in the wedge E and in the bottom wall of the recess in the slide plate and then driving said spikes into the track tie to which the slide plate is secured. A rail securing means of the construction above described is inexpensive to construct; it is easy to install and maintain in an operative condition; and it braces the rails so securely against lateral thrusts and stresses tending to tilt the rail that rail braces are unnecessary.

It is immaterial what means are used to 11 anchor the heel ends of the switch points A, but the means that are herein illustrated for this purpose have the advantages of being inexpensive to construct, reliable in operation and of such design that they not only hold 1 the heel ends of the switch points in abutting relationship with the running rails of which they form extensions, but also maintain said heel ends in properly spaced relationship with the running rails that extend alongside 1 ofsaid switch points. As shown in Figure 5, the heel end of each switch point A is joined to its abutting rail by an anchor bar F which is connected to the web of the switch point and to the web of the abuttin rail in -1 such a way that it serves as 9. splice bar that, extends across the j oint' between the heel end of the switchpoint and the terminal end of the abutting rail. The anchor bar F does not engage the web of the switch point through- 1 out the entire length of said anchor bar, but, on the contrary, said anchor bar is provided with a slight offset, indicated by the reference character 9, that is located adjacent the extreme heel end of the switch point, or adjacent the joint between the heel end of the switch point and the abutting rail. The anchor bar F is connected to the web of the running rail with which it co-operates by a. plurality of bolts 10, and saidanchor bar is connected to the web of the switch point by a bolt 11 that is located some distance inwardly from the extreme heel end of the switch oint. If desired, an additional bolt 11" can e arranged transversely through the web of the switch point and anchor bar F; Due to the fact that the anchor F is offset slightly ad j acent the extreme heel end of the switch point, said switch point can rock or move horizontally slightly when the-actuating device 1 is moved to shift the terminal ends of the switch points towards and away from the stationary running rails extending along that co-operates with the side edge of the rim of the wheel so as to prevent the flange walls or overhanging portion 5 of the slide v plates D, and said protecting device G is in turn held in position by means of a tapered wedge E, which, after being driven home, is

secured by a spike 8 or n any other suitable side of same, the axis of movement of the switch points being at approximately the zones where the bolts 11 pass through the anchor bars F and the co-operating fish plates that embrace thewebs of the switch points. In order that the anchor bars F will hold the heel end portions of the switch points A spaced away the proper distance from the running rails B and C that extend alongside of the same, each of said anchor bars is provided at its opposite ends with laterallyprojecting spacing devices 12 that are adapted to engage the webs of said adjacent running rails and which may or may not be connected to said webs. In the form of the in vention illustrated in Figure 5 the spacing .devices 12 of'the anchor bar are illustrated as being secured by bolts 13 to the web of the adjacent running rail, but this is not necessary, as the devices or portions 12 of the anchor bar F are intended to be used merely as spacers for maintainin the heel end portion of the switch point t is proper distance from the running rail that extends alongside of same. p

a In the event the switch is equipped with a tread rim contact protecting device for the terminal end of the outside switch point A, said protecting device can be secured in position by a means of the character previously described, that is used to secure the running rails to the slide plates and brace said rails against lateral stresses. Figure 7 of the drawings illustrates a split switch equipped with such a tread rim contact proteeting device, which device conssts' of a member G, preferably a cast member,carranged on the outside of the running rail with whith the outside switch point co-operates and provided with a horizontally-,dis-

way.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A split switch, comprising movable switch points, stationary running rails that extend alongside of said switch points, slide plates for the switch oints, recesses in said slide plates for receiving the base flanges of therunningrails, an undercut wall at one end of each of said recesses adapted to receive one edge of the base flange of the rail, a beveled wall at the opposite end of the recess, and a wedge interposed between said beveled wall and the adjacent edge of the base flange of the railand provided with a portion that laps over said flange.

2. A split switch, comprising movable switch points. stationary running rails that extend alongside of said switch points. slide plates forthe switch points, undercut recesses in said slide plates adapted to receive the base flanges of said running rails, tapered devices for wedging thebase flanges of the rails tightly in the recesses provided for same in the slide plates, and means for securing said tapered devices inadjusted position.

3. Ina split switch, the-combination of a movable switch point, a running rail arranged alongside of said point, a slide plate 'for said switch point, a recess in the top face of said slide plate adapted to receive the base flange of the running rail, a portion on said side plate that laps over one edge of said base flange, a tread rimcontact protecting device for the switch point positioned in said recess and arranged in overlapping relationship with the other edge ofthe base flange of the running rail, and a tapered device adapted to be driven into engagement with oppo sed surfaces on the slide plate-and said protecting device to secure said device in position and hold the running rail firmly in position on the slide plate.

4. In a railway switch, a movable switch posed tread surface 14 on which a car Wheel point, a running rail arranged in abutting travels, and a vertically-disposed surface 15 relationship with the same, and an anchoring slide plates on which undercut recesses in device for the heel end of the switch point secured to the point and to the web of the abutting rail and arranged to serve as a splice bar for the joint between the switch point and abutting rail, said anchoring device having a tending across the joint between the heel end of the switch point and the terminal end of the abutting rail and connected to the webs of said elements, said splice bar being oiiset adjacent the extreme heel end of the switch point, for the purpose described. L

6. In a split switch, the combination of a movable switch point, a running rail arranged in abutting relationship with the heel end of said switch point, a running rail extending alongside of the switch point, and an anchoring device for securing. said switch point to said abutting rail and provided with means for holding the heel end of the switch point in proper relationship with the running rail that extends alongside of the switch point.

7. In a split switch, the combination of a movable switch point, a running rail that extends alongside of the switch point. a running rail arranged in abutting relationship with the heel end of the switch point, an anchonilbar connected to the abutting rail and tothe heel end of the switch point and arranged so as to extend across the joint between said elements, an offset in said anchor bar for permitting the switch point to rock when the terminal end of same is moved laterally, and spacing devices on said anchor bar adapted to engage the web of the running rail that extends alongside of the switch point.

8. A split switch, comprising movable points, stationary running rails that extend alongside of said switch points, running rails arranged in abutting relationship with the heel ends of the switch points, anchoring devicesconstructed to hold-the heel ends of the switch points in operative relationship with the a utting rails and with the rails that extend alongside of the switch points the switch points move,

ceiving the base flanges of the rails towards and awayv from which the terminal ends of the switch point are moved, and wedge-shaped devices associated with said slide plates forclamping the base flanges of the rails in the recesses in said slide plates. I

9. In a split switch, the combination of a rail that extends alongside of said switch point, a slide'plate on which the switch point the slide plates for-- ire-- rests provided in its to face with a recess for receiving the base ange of the running rail, and means for bracing said running rail against lateral stresses and holding it in p0- sit1on,- comprising an integral portion on the slide plate that laps over one edge of the base flange of said rail and a removable element that laps over the other edge of said base flange.

10. In a split switch, the combination of a movable switch point, a stationary running rail that extends alongside of said switch "oint, a slide plate for the switch point provided in its top face with a recess for re-.

ceiving the base flange of the running rail, an integral portion on the slide plate that laps over one edge of the base flange of the running rail, and a removable wedge-shaped retaining device interposed between the other edge of said base flange and an abutment portion on the slide plate.

ROBERT E. EINSTEIN. BENJAMIN B. BETTS.

lmovable switch point, a stationary running 

